Can I Cancel My UK Visa Application and Reapply Immediately?
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From mistakes in your application to a change of plans, You can cancel your UK visa application and reapply immediately.
At London Immigration Lawyers, our legal consultants can review your application and determine whether you need to cancel and reapply. You can contact us at [tel] to talk about your visa application or cancellation.
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Can I Reapply Immediately after Cancelling My UK Visa Application?
Yes, you can reapply immediately for a visa after cancelling one application. Note that you cannot run two applications concurrently. You must cancel the first one before starting a new one.
Before you cancel your UK visa application, it is essential to understand the reasons for various UK visa cancellations. You might not need to cancel your application if you want your passport and other documents returned. An application withdrawal might also not be necessary if you want to apply for a different visa if you are applying from within the UK.
You might also want to cancel your application because you made some UK visa application mistakes on your form. But, not all mistakes warrant a withdrawal of an application. The nature of the mistake will determine whether you need to withdraw your application. If it is a simple error, you might not have to cancel your application. You can contact the UKVI and have your application amended.
However, if the mistake can be perceived as an attempt to deceive or mislead, it might be best to cancel that application. You can reapply with the right information, and your previous application should not affect the new one.
Note that providing false information on your visa application is a basis for refusal.
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When Can I Withdraw My Immigration Application?
According to the UK Immigration Rules, you can cancel your immigration application at any time if you are still waiting for a decision. If the UKVI has sent you a decision on your application, you cannot withdraw it anymore.
The date of application withdrawal will be taken as the date on which the Home Office receives your application for withdrawal. If you are resident in the UK, you must have a valid visa application before your current immigration permit expires. Failure to apply before your current visa expires can make you an overstayer, which is a punishable offence in the UK.
How to Cancel Your Immigration Application
The process ofcancelling your application depends on several factors. Those factors include:
Whether you are in the UK or applying from outside the UK,
Whether you have attended your biometric enrolment appointment,
Whether you used the smartphone app.
You can always cancel your application online by filling out the form if you are applying from within the UK. The process does not change much whether you have attended your biometric appointment or not.
However, if you applied from outside the UK, your attendance at the biometric appointment can affect your cancellation process. If you have not attended the biometric enrollment appointment, you can sign in to your account with your unique link to cancel your application. You will find the option to cancel your application under “Section 6: Further Actions”. You will also have to cancel any appointments at the visa application centre in your country.
If you have already attended your biometric enrolment appointment and you are outside the UK, you have to contact the UK Visas and Immigration to cancel your application. You might have to write a withdrawal visa application letter.
If you applied on the smartphone app, whether within or outside the UK, cancellation is as simple as signing in to your account with your sign-up email. You will find the option to ‘withdraw your application’ on your dashboard. You only have to click on it to cancel your application.
Cancelling your visa application is one thing; getting a refund of your application fee is another. It is not in all cases that you are eligible for a refund.
Getting A Refund
According to the UK Immigration Laws, you might be eligible to get a refund of your application fee, immigration health surcharge, and priority service fee when you cancel your application. Eligibility for a UK visa cancellation refund depends on the time of your application cancellation.
The amount that will be refunded depends on the methods used to prove your identity and the time of cancellation. If you are eligible, the refund will be paid automatically to your account. If you had already captured your fingerprints and photo at the biometric appointment, you might not be able to get a refund for your application fee. If you have used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' smartphone app to upload your picture and scan your identity document, you might not get a refund.
If you used the smartphone app, getting your online application fee refund will depend on whether you have not clicked on ‘confirm and upload’ for your evidence and withdrew your application before the deadline for uploading evidence. The refund will be automatically paid to your account.
A full refund of your immigration health surcharge will be automatically paid to your account as long as you cancel your application before a decision is made. Your priority service fee will also be refunded if you request for it. Note that you have to make a request for a refund of your priority service fee; it is not an automatic refund.
If you are eligible for a refund, you will get it within 28 days of cancelling your application. You can contact UKVI if you change your bank account. Note that it might take a little longer to get your refund in this instance.
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If you are unsure of your eligibility for a refund or how to apply for a refund, reach out to our immigration lawyers for guidance.
What is the Difference Between A Withdrawn Application and A Void Application?
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A withdrawn application is different from a void application. Your application can be declared void if it is not possible to grant you the permission for which you applied.
Instances, where your application might be void, include if an applicant dies before a decision is made, if the person is exempt from immigration control or if a person with an indefinite leave to remain applies for a limited leave to remain. If you feel an application should be voided in any circumstances outside of these ones, email the Administrative Policy Team to confirm.
For a void application, the applicant will be informed that the application has become void, while in the case of a withdrawn application, the applicant has to apply for a withdrawal. You can check the Immigration Rules to understand the difference better.
Can the Home Office Refuse My Request to Withdraw My Application?
Yes, the Home Office can refuse your request to withdraw your application. While you can put in your request for withdrawal at any time, it does not have to be accepted by the Home Office. The Office might go ahead to decide on your application.
One of the most common reasons for a refusal to grant your withdrawal request is a suspicion of deception. So, if the Home Office suspects that you knowingly submitted fraudulent documents, your request to withdraw your application will not be granted.
How Can London Immigration Lawyers Help?
Cancelling your visa application should not be a difficult process. However, it should not be done with levity. You cannot reverse the process once you start it, and it can also affect your UK residence if you do not withdraw a faulty admission in time.
At London Immigration Lawyers, our lawyers are qualified to handle any issues you might have when withdrawing your visa application in the UK. Our immigration consultants are certified to work in the UK and can help you review your application. You can also get advice on any immigration issues you might be having.
You do not have to go through the process of cancelling and reapplying for a new visa on your own. Having experts reassure you that it is the best course of action. Our lawyers are always ready to listen at any time. You can contact us at [tel] before you start the process of withdrawing your visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the consequences of withdrawing a UK visa application and applying again?
Withdrawing your UK visa application and applying again can render you an overstayer if you do not have a valid visa during that period. Being an overstayer in the UK is an offence punishable by deportation. Other than that, there are no major consequences to withdrawing your visa application and applying again.
Are there any restrictions on the number of times I can cancel and reapply for a UK visa?
There are no restrictions to the number of times that you can cancel and reapply for a UK visa. However, cancelling your UK visa application is not something you should do lightly. Once you withdraw an application, you cannot reverse the decision, and without an active visa, you can become an overstayer. So, seek legal advice before cancelling your UK visa application.
Can I make changes to my visa application after withdrawal, or do I need to start a new application?
No, you cannot make changes to your visa application after withdrawal. You can only make amendments before you withdraw an application. Once you withdraw an application, you will have to start a new application to make any changes.
Meta Title: Can I Cancel My UK Visa Application and Reapply Immediately?
Meta Description: Yes, you can reapply immediately for a visa after cancelling one application. You must cancel the first one before starting a new one.
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Posted Apr 23, 2025
Guidance on UK visa application cancellation and reapplication.
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